Drug and Alcohol Detox Clinics in New Jersey

Learn how to find a safe and reputable medical detox center in New Jersey here.

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ARTICLE OVERVIEW: How can you find a good detox center in New Jersey? A complete guide on what to look for in a good detox center here.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS:


Detox is the first step on the road to recovery.


What is Medical Detox?

The process of removing drugs and/or alcohol from the body is known as medical detoxification, or simply detox. Medical detox is much better than at home or cold turkey detox because 24-7 supervision addresses withdrawal symptoms as they occur.

Often, withdrawal is painful. In some cases, it can be life-threatening. To prevent harm, it’s always best to go through withdrawal under medical supervision. The main goals of any detox protocol are:

  1. Managing withdrawal symptoms
  2. Providing emotional support
  3. Preparing for ongoing treatment

Medical detox increases your chances for success. You can benefit from the safety of the environment. Plus, you are much less likely to relapse. Best of all, finishing detox is the first step to living drug-free.

So, what should you look for in a detox center?


Call us to start detox today.


Detoxing in New Jersey

The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, DMHAS, oversees New Jersey’s adult system of community-based behavioral health services. These agencies provide a full array of services, including detox. In NJ, these services are officially part of inpatient treatment and are called:

  • Sub-acute detoxification
  • Sub-acute enhanced medically managed detoxification

All medical detox providers must be licensed by the DMHAS. The organization:

  • Provides licenses.
  • Regulates the substance abuse treatment provider agencies.
  • Monitors the substance abuse treatment provider agencies.

Licensing for the substance abuse agencies is provided through the Department of Human Services, Office of Licensing. [1] The inpatient substance use disorders treatment must meet licensing regulations N.J.A.C. 10:161A [2] under the licensing laws N.J.S.A. 26:2BB-5 [3], while the outpatient substance disorders treatment must meet licensing regulations N.J.A.C. 10:161B [2] under the licensing law N.J.S.A. 26:2B-7 [4]. Services provided at each level of care will meet or exceed current New Jersey licensure standards.


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What to Expect During Detox?

Every step you go through in detox is important, and they build upon each other. Keep in mind that some symptoms are treated with medications, while some require only endurance. The basic protocol for drug and alcohol detoxification in New Jersey is as follows.

STEP 1: Assessment and evaluation

The medical staff will gather all needed documents before you start with the detox. The purpose of this stage of detox is to help physicians create a treatment plan that will outline length, tapering schedules, and medication needed. Documents and examinations include:

  • A drug testing
  • Insurance info
  • Family history
  • Medical history
  • Payment info
  • Physical examination
  • Psychological evaluation

STEP 2: Supportive care

Now it’s time to face the withdrawal symptoms. Remember that fears can keep you stuck. Understand detox as something that you have to go through. Most detoxification processes require that patients are placed in a quiet room without stimuli. Supportive services include:

  • Medical supervision
  • Nursing care
  • Nutrition plan
  • Routine examination

STEP 3: Medication treatment

Medications can be prescribed to manage acute withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, panic, or extreme diarrhea. But sometimes medicines may not be right for you. Moreover, medications vary from your drug-of-choice, and they are prescribed in accordance to withdrawal symptoms as well as your medical history.


Plan to detox alone? Why risk it?


Inpatient Detox in New Jersey

Inpatient detox is known as “medically monitored inpatient detoxification” in NJ, and it is an organized service delivered by medical and nursing professionals. These professionals provide 24-hour medically supervised evaluation and withdrawal management in an inpatient setting. That means that you’ll need to pack an overnight bag. It’s like staying in a hospital.

Inpatient detox in New Jersey must follow the standards set up by the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. So, detox is performeda certain way. Also, you need to know that certain medical professionals MUST be available at an inpatient detox clinics. The medical staff is licensed and should include:

  • A medical director
  • A director of substance abuse counseling services
  • A substance abuse counselor
  • A physician
  • A registered professional nurse
  • An advanced practice nurse
  • A pharmacist

The steps needed during inpatient detoxification in New Jersey are defined and monitored by the DMHAS.Here’s how inpatient detox centers in New Jersey work…

1. Patient admission. When you enter detox, clinicians take admission interviews and complete paperwork.

2. Patient assessment. Within 72 hours of admission stage, a licensed medical staff conducts a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment. The goal is to gather all valid information aboutyou. This will play a huge role in treatment planning. Moreover, during this stage, you will be screened for dual diagnosis conditions that can be underneath alcohol or drug use.

3. Patient treatment planning. Medical staff must create a unique and specific plan for you within 72 hours after admission. At this point, you should be under 24/7 medical care. This is the most important stage for stabilization of withdrawal symptoms. So, you’ll be monitored and offered medications when needed. You’ll also be encouraged by staff who provide emotional support.

4. Counseling and supportive services. The detoxification process as licensed in the state of New Jersey includes 2 hours of counseling services per week and education session as follows:

  • Individual therapy at a minimum of 1 hour per week
  • Group therapy at a minimum of 1 hour per week
  • Psycho-education at a minimum of 2 hours per detox episode

All services in inpatient detox are delivered under a defined set of physician approved policies and are monitored for clinical protocols appropriate to each type of addiction. This generally follows the recommendations made by the American Society of Addiction Medicine,ASAM PPC-2R, Level III, 7D protocols.

5. Discharge and transfer plans. The medical staff establishes written discharge documents and/or transfer plan if you want tocontinue to rehab.


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Outpatient Detox in New Jersey

Every outpatient detox in New Jersey offers detoxification program to patients meeting the ASAM Client Placement Criteria, Level I-D or II-D. [5] This means that patients usually have less than 9 hours of detox services without extended onsite monitoring. More hours are provided, if needed. Outpatient programs provide outpatient detox services every day of the week.

During the outpatient detox process, you have 24-hour access to a nurse on call in New Jersey. Daily medical supervision must be conducted by the program nurse, physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant. Additionally, you will receive only a one-day supply of medications for detoxification if and when needed.

The licensed staff in New Jersey outpatient detox centers include:

  • A director of substance abuse counseling
  • A physician
  • A physician assistant
  • A program nurse
  • An advanced practice nurse

The steps included during outpatient detoxification in New Jersey are as follows.

1. Biopsychosoical assessment. During this step, clinicians determine your eligibility for outpatient detox, as well as create the treatment plan.

2. Treatment. You receive treatment in accordance with their plan.

3. Participating in counseling sessions. While you are receiving care, you participate in a counseling sessions every day during treatment. The purpose is to help you continue treatment after detox.These sessions include:

  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Educational sessions
  • Self-help meetings

Why suffer in silence? Talk about your problems.


Detox for Veterans in New Jersey

If you are a The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers substance use disorder treatment for Veterans who have addiction issues. To get full access of these services, you must have VA health care plan.You can apply for VA health care here.

Are you in need of instant help? You are NOT ALONE! There are hotlines that operate 24/7. You just need to pick up the phone, and call.

  • National Hotline dedicated to Veterans: 2-1-1
  • National Veteran Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
  • Veterans Counseling Hotline: 1-866-VETS-NJ4

Finally, you can find more information on addiction and detox services for Veterans here.


The only way to get better is to ask for help.


Involuntary Treatment in New Jersey

There is currently no law that regulates separate, involuntary treatment for substance use disorders in New Jersey. [6]There is a law that regulated involuntary civil commitments for mental illness, but mental illness does not include alcohol intoxication, transitory reaction to drug ingestion, organic brain syndrome or developmental disability unless it results in the severity of impairment that disturbs thoughts, mood, perception or orientation which significantly impairs judgment, capacity to control behavior or capacity to recognize reality. [7]

However, the opioid abuse epidemic may turn around this law. With more than 2,000 overdose deaths in 2016 in NJ state, the New Jersey Legislature is expected to approve an involuntary commitment for substance use disorder. [8]

New Jersey State Clinics

New Jersey’s DMHAS has created an easy access and searchable directory of licensed substance use disorders treatment facilities that can help you locate a program near you that fits your needs. [9]Moreover, you can contact you County Drug and Alcohol Director to provide more treatment resources. [10]

Finally, you can call the IME Addictions Access Center at 1-844-276-2777 to provide information and referral to substance use disorder agencies statewide. The hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.


Why wait? Call our hotline number to start a new life….today!


Does Detox Help?

YES!

Detox helps you manage withdrawal symptoms, and makes the process of quitting drinking or drugs easier. You can avoid relapse and manage symptoms as they occur. Why risk it?

A medical detox also makes quitting safe.Since medical complications are possible, never detox alone. Always check into a medical detox program that offers constant medical care and is operated by licensed staff.

Reach out for help, and get started!

Give us a call to learn your detox options in New Jersey.

And, if you still have questions, please post them in the comments section at the end. We try to respond to all legitimate question personally and promptly.

Reference Sources: [1] State of New Jersey: Office of Licensing
[2] State of New Jersey: Current Administrative Rules and Regulations
[3] Justicia: Health and Vital Statistics,Title XXVI
[4] State of New Jersey: Human Services
[5] Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care: Tips to Get Your Clinical Authorization Approved by the IME
[6] MASS.GOV: Involuntary Commitment for Individuals with a Substance Use Disorder or Alcoholism
[7] NJ Courts: Involuntary Civil Commitments
[8] NJ Legislature: 218th Legislature
[9]DMHAS: Addiction Services Treatment Directory
[10] DMHAS: County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors & County Mental Health Administrators
State of New Jersey: Licensure of Residential Substance Use Disorders Treatment Facilities
State of New Jersey: Standards for Licensure of Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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